Supreme Court Chickens Out On Pledge Case

[HDPM]

He he he. They decided the case on standing, not the issue everybody wanted. Here's a link. case


It looks to me like there were some votes to overturn the pledge but they thought it would be too radical. Interesting dissent by Thomas who kind of backs up the 9th Circuit by saying that the relevant Supreme Court cases mean that having kids say the pledge in public schools is unconstitutional, but those cases are wrong. Oh well, a no decision is better than a wrong decision. Thomas's analysis looks problematic if adoped in the future. I will have to read it more carefully.

[Ragnar]

The only problem I have is that this standing decision takes Scalia off the hook the next time. He will be careful not to comment on the next Circuit Court opinion and won't recuse himself.

Ragnar

[Zeno]

So they waffled out of the case by technicalities in custody issues?

Chickens indeed!


I think, 'under God' should be changed to:

1. under god
Or-
2. under Zeus
Or-
3. under Satan
Or-
4. under X, with X being the God of personal choice, for example Aphrodite, Allah, or Noam Chomsky.


Now the theologians will no doubt chime in and point out that Satan is not a god but a fallen Angel that harbors a malevolent vendetta against humanity. So perhaps this will not fly. Which is too bad. Perhaps Bush would be a good replacement as many think that he is Satan personified.

-Zeno

[cardcounter0]

I thought they wanted to change it to "Under Ashcroft" since he is the all-knowing giver and keeper of Laws.

[Zeno]

I forgot an important comment-

Lawyers, quite a pod of slippery bastards. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

-Zeno

[Phat Mack]

[ QUOTE ]
think, 'under God' should be changed to:

1. under god
Or-
2. under Zeus
Or-
3. under Satan
Or-
4. under X, with X being the God of personal choice, for example Aphrodite, Allah, or Noam Chomsky.


[/ QUOTE ]

Nah. I think that, as poker players, we should lobby for the inclusion of "Acceptable Standard Deviation" or perhaps just "Varience." These terms would offer a much better explanation of our underlying faith. Plus, I would sleep so much better knowing that our Pledge of Alligence, long may it wave, contained the word "Deviation."

[Phat Mack]

What's a "Next Friend"?

[Ragnar]

A "next friend" is a legal fiction allowing someone to sue on behalf of a minor or incapacitated person.

Ragnar

[Zeno]

I like the 'under Ashcroft' idea, although I think Judge Scaila thinks he is God also and would fit in just as well. 'Under Scaila' has a better ring to it, I think.

-Zeno

[GWB]

[ QUOTE ]
I like the 'under Ashcroft' idea

[/ QUOTE ]

But Ashcroft reports to a higher authority: me. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]